This is a very large and impressive wood sculpture from the Bamana (Bambara) peoples of Mali, West Africa. Carved from a single piece of dense and heavy wood with highly stylized features and style. Figures like these appear in the annual celebrations of Jo, an association of initiated men and women living near the towns of Bougouni and Dioïla in southern Mali. They also appear in the rituals of Gwan, a related institution concerned with helping women to conceive and bear healthy children. Jo and Gwan sculptures are larger than most Bamana figures. Finely incised scarification marks cover their faces, necks, and torsos.For annual Jo and Gwan rituals, the sculptures are removed from their shrines, cleaned and oiled, decorated with cloth and beads, and set up in the village square in groups. The groupings always feature a mother and child. This statue measures 62 inches tall

Overall well weathered and worn, slight chipping on lips.